Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today celebrates the first birthday of its PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system.  Launched one year ago in North America, PS3 has revolutionized the industry with its Cell Broadband Engine and RSX technology which gives the system tremendous computational power; Blu-ray Disc capabilities which provides state-of-the art graphics and unrivaled storage capacity; and free access to PLAYSTATION Network where PS3 users can experience online gaming, connect with other PS3 users as well as download games, movies and other content from the PLAYSTATION Store.

In its first year, more than 200 software titles have been released for PS3 and more than 60 million pieces of content have been downloaded from PLAYSTATION Network worldwide.  Also, through the continued support of and dialogue with PS3 users, remarkable hardware advancements and features have been added to the system through firmware updates making it the most advanced computer entertainment system on the market today.

“When we designed PS3 our goal was to introduce a system so technically advanced that it could stand the test of time and could take the industry in a whole new direction, which for PS3 was high-definition entertainment” said Jack Tretton, President and CEO of SCEA.  “While we’re excited by the progress we’ve made this first year, we know that like our other platforms, the best is still yet to come, especially given our new hardware and software line-up, and that PS3 will continue to take the industry to new heights for years to come.”

PS3 is the first gaming system to provide a disc capacity of 50GB thanks to its Blu-ray Disc functionality.  Current PS3 first party games are currently in the 20GB range, well north of the threshold of HD-DVD or DVD, allowing for unmatched potential for games, movies and other media.

“The inclusion of the Blu-ray drive in PS3 reflects Sony’s absolute commitment to the format,” said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation.  “We firmly believe that Blu-ray is the best high definition format for consumers, providing superior capacity, next-generation games, more hit movie titles, and the best possible picture and sound quality.  With PS3, you get an amazing game machine and a state-of-the-art high definition movie player, and it is clear from recent sales numbers that this combination is resonating with millions of PS3 customers.”

SCEA recently introduced new PS3 hardware models and pricing and the company is already seeing strong sales momentum as a result—PS3 sales have increased by 192 percent at the top 10 retailers in North America.  The availability of new hardware, combined with the release of more than 160 software titles, including 19 first and third-party exclusives such as Heavenly Sword, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Warhawk, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Unreal Tournament 3, and Haze, SCEA expects PS3 momentum to continue this holiday and beyond.

SCEA also recently launched a new PS3 advertising campaign, the company’s biggest marketing effort to date, designed to deliver a high-energy message with a focus on the exciting entertainment value of PS3 and exclusive content found only on PS3. The lineup of advertisements will feature some of SCEA’s most highly anticipated first party titles. In addition to pure game play, the campaign will convey to consumers the benefits of Blu-ray Disc and for the first time, sharp focus will be paid to PLAYSTATION Network along with breakthrough services such as PLAYSTATION Home.